October 10, 2005
Push yourself again and again. Don't give an inch until the final buzzer sounds.
Larry Bird
On Monday, September 26th, I joined state officers from Kentucky, Tennessee,
Arkansas, Missouri and Mississippi at the MidSouth Fair in Memphis. Monday was FFA Day at the fair, which meant FFA members from each state came to compete in the numerous events. After spending the morning visiting the competitions and touring the fairgrounds, I served as the keynote speaker at the Agribusiness Luncheon. Once the luncheon was over, I hopped in a car towards southeast Missouri for a chapter visits tour. Nancy Alford, the Southeast and Southcentral District Supervisor of Agriculture Education, arranged the visits for my in Missouri and was my transportation for the week. Later that night I arrived in Mammoth Spring to rest up for the big day ahead.
Tuesday was the first day of visits, with a total of five school stops. I began the day with breakfast and a workshop at Cabool, followed by a workshop at Mountain Grove. We then had pizza at Houston before I presented a workshop. Our next stop of the day was at Licking, where I spoke to their entire FFA chapter, and the final event of the evening was the area leadership conference in Dora. Even though we drove all over, I thought there was no way any of the days could be better. Wow, was I wrong!
Wednesday came bright and early, with breakfast and a workshop at Poplar Bluff, home of the mules. After the visit, Bruce Beck, with the Butler County Extension Service, gave me a tour of a rice elevator and a quick education in how to grow rice. Coming from Illinois were corn and soybeans reign supreme, I found rice to be quite interesting. We then made our way Puxico for a workshop, and wrapped up the morning at Dexter,
where I experienced the best barbeque ribs of my life from Hickory Logs. After the Dexter chapter officers and I finished lunch, I spoke to an environmental science class, and headed to Bernie for a workshop with the entire
freshman class. The last event for the evening was an area leadership conference in Holcomb, followed by a terrific dinner at Strawberry’s. I once again had barbeque! It was another awesome day of visits!
Thursday was my final day of visits, and the first stop was Fredericktown for a workshop.
Unfortunately, Tanner Swope, my first volunteer for the day, injured his collarbone attempting to hop over a five dollar bill. Hope you heal soon Tanner! It was then off to Farmington, where I spoke to a group of freshman and presented a workshop. We joined the class and the chapter officers for lunch but had to leave all too soon for Perryville for a workshop with the entire chapter. The final event of the chapter visit tour was the area rituals competition, and I served as the keynote speaker. After the banquet, we drove to St. Louis, where I would fly out of on Friday morning. It was hard for me to believe the
week was over. It was without a doubt one of my favorite weeks of the year, as I was able to work with nearly 1000 FFA members and advisors at the chapter level. I expect great things from the FFA members I met along the tour, and know that the FFA is in good hands in Missouri!
Friday, September 30th, signaled the beginning a new trip. A boarded a plane in St.
Louis, stopped over in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and arrived in Phoenix, Arizona, home state of Brian Hogue. I joined Brian and his family at his house in Willcox to celebrate Rex Allen Days, a community celebration. The weekend was filled with Indian fry bread, bon fires, Mexican food, croquet, and a rodeo. On Sunday night, we drove back to Phoenix for dinner at Rustler’s Roost, and my last week of business and industry visits.
Monday and Tuesday were spent in Phoenix, visiting former National FFA Foundation Sponsors Board members, current supporters, the Gilbert FFA chapter, and former national officers. One of the most interesting visits we had was with Ken Johnson, a supporter of the FFA. He shows up every year at the Arizona State Leadership Conference in his official dress, the same attire he wore for our visit. As he sat next to me in his blue corduroy jacket, it was amazing to see how much the jacket can impact an individual.
We caught a 6:00 a.m. flight from Phoenix to Denver, Colorado, on Wednesday, October 5th, to finish up the week. This was the first time I had actually been to Denver and not just passing through the airport, and I fell in love with the city on our first visit of the day.
Over the next three days, we had visits with Five Rivers Cattle Feeding, the vice chairman of the Colorado Rockies, former Sponsors Board members, and past national officers. On Thursday evening, we joined John Rakestraw, last year’s chairman of the National FFA Sponsors Board for dinner along with the chapter officers from the St. Vrain Valley FFA chapter. The next morning, we rejoined the officers at school for a workshop with members of the chapter. After the visit, it was hard for Brian and I to believe that our final workshop as national officers was over!
Friday evening found us back in Denver airport, and Brian and I flew back to our homes for the weekend. On the way home, I thought back on the past two weeks, and realized just how hectic they were. However, I couldn’t think of any better way to spend my final two weeks as an officer on the road!
Basketball games are often won or lost in the fourth quarter. Just like Larry Bird claimed, you must continue to push yourself for more. Looking back over the past two months, I realized that I am now in the “fourth quarter” of my officer year. Luckily for me, this is not the first time I have ever been in a fourth quarter situation. How do you handle crunch time? No matter how much is left, we must continue to push ourselves for more if we truly want success!
September 26, 2005
Map out your future but do it in pencil. The road ahead is as long as you make it. Make it worth the trip.
Jon Bon Jovi
After arriving in Indianapolis on Saturday, September 10th, I spent seven days working on convention items at the National FFA Center. All week, our focus was on making our time in Louisville an excellent experience for all. Friday night came, and I said goodbye to the team, and boarded a plane to Hartford, Connecticut, to attend the Big E!
The Eastern State Exposition is held every year in
Springfield, Massachusetts. It serves as a “state fair” for all the New England states. I had heard all about the fair, but had never attended before, so I was excited about the opportunity. Saturday, September 16 th , was FFA Day at the Big E. The morning started off with regional competitions for FFA members in the Eastern Region. Candace from
Pennsylvania, Christina from Delaware, and Nickolas from Connecticut were the interns at the Big E this year, and they helped me get acquainted with the fairgrounds. The competitions ranged from horticulture to diary judging, and even included a Stars Contests. Most of the teams present were the second place team at the state level, but there was no doubt they were top caliber competitors! At noon, I emceed the Stars Luncheon, and was amazed to learn about the Supervised Agricultural Experience programs each of the participants maintained. Following the luncheon, I toured the fairgrounds with a few of the Delaware FFA state officers. The highlight of the trip was the state houses. Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire,
Connecticut, and Rhode Island each have a replica of their respective state capital building within the fairgrounds. In each of the buildings, the state showcases food and products that are produced within its borders. As I made my way through, I ate blueberry pie from New Hampshire, PEZ candy from Connecticut, and maple cotton candy from Vermont before filling up to the point I had no room for the other states. Not only was the food great, but how many times can I say that I was in six states in less than thirty minutes!
That afternoon, I found myself standing in the middle of a huge circus tent. Luckily, I was not trying to tame any tigers or eat fire; I was instead announcing the winners during the Star Awards Ceremony. I was joined on the center stage by FFA members carrying the state flags from the eighteen states in the Eastern region. I was proud of all the FFA members in attendance for their accomplishments and their ability to withstand the extreme heat of the tent! After the Stars Ceremony, I headed back to the hotel for the final event of the evening, the FFA Awards Banquet. At the banquet, each of the competition winners were announced, and the sweepstakes award was presented to
Ohio. It was amazing to see over 700 FFA members, advisors, parents, and guests, joining together in fellowship all because of the FFA. I enjoyed seeing friends I had made during the year at the Big E. I left knowing that even though some people went home with a plaque and some did not, we all are winners because of our time wearing the blue corduroy.
The next morning I flew back to Indianapolis, hopped in my Explorer, and drove home with a quick stop by the University of Illinois to see some friends. I was back home for three days, to prepare for my next couple weeks on the road. I played basketball, and unfortunately picked up a nasty sinus infection
too! On Thursday, September, 22nd, I left home (with some sinus medicine!) en route to Murray, Kentucky, to attend the Murray State Racer Roundup. I landed in Paducah, Kentucky, rented a Grand Am, and drove to a BBQ held by the Murray State Collegiate FFA officer team. At the dinner, nearly 150 FFA members from all across the state had already shown up for Racer
Roundup, which started Friday morning. Before hitting the hay, I joined Whitney and Melissa, two
former FFA members from Illinois and good friends, at the apartment for punch and pie with the officer team.
Friday morning signaled the beginning of the Racer Roundup, but before it started, I had a radio interview with Whitney on a local morning show. The show was broadcast from booth at a local diner. It proved to be the first time I had ever done a radio interview and been able to order scrambled eggs simultaneously! After the interview, it was back to campus to join over 300 FFA members for the main event. We kicked off the morning with a welcome from the Dr. Tony Brannon, Dean of Agriculture at Murray State and Marla Smith, the Murray State Collegiate FFA president, then went into our workshops.
After five rotations, we broke for lunch, and then went back for the final five rounds of workshops. The day flew by, and I had a blast meeting and working with Kentucky and Tennessee FFA
members. Later that afternoon, I said goodbye to my friends at Murray State, and drove to Memphis, Tennessee, for the weekend and to attend the MidSouth Fair. While in Memphis, I managed to eat barbeque for nearly every meal, my favorite being Corky’s.
The past two weeks seemed crazy at times, but memories were made that I will never forget!
We all have a roadmap that we follow in life, some with specific routes and details, and others with wide open spaces. We often get so focused on our destination that we forget to look back and see how much our paths have changed. As I look back on the year, I
realize that my map has been expanded, as I have traveled to places I never thought I would. Think about where your roadmap has taken you, and where your destination is!
September 12, 2005 Seeds of Hope
Rebuilding effort for agricultural education and FFA programs
After spending the weekend in Nashville, Emily Horton and I were joined by FFA members from Turner Ashby FFA chapter in Virginia for
FFA Live! on RFDTV on Monday, August 29th. Every two months, the FFA has a special program that is hosted by Orion Samuelson. The members that joined us were part of the Chesapeake Bay Expedition. On the thirtyday expedition, members from the chapter tested water quality and recorded their measurements. We had a blast with Curt Newsome and Justin Powers, two Tuner Ashby
FFA members, during the telecast and later eating together at the Rainforest Café. We also knew a stop to Bass Pro Shop was necessary, where Justin showed us his shooting talents and Curt taught us how to putt.
Tuesday morning came, and after some flight delays due to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, I was able to make it home. For the next ten days, I would be at home preparing for national convention and my travel yet to come. Of course, I did manage to find some time to have fun, including playing basketball, shooting skeet, watching high school football, and boating on the river with my sister. Even though it seemed short, my time at home gave me a great boost for the last leg of my officer year.
Once Saturday, September 10th, rolled around, I was off again, this time to the National FFA Center in Indianapolis. The entire team met to work on national convention tasks for the next nine days. We edited scripts, wrote retiring addresses, and began to put all the pieces of convention together. The year has flown by, and it is hard to believe national convention is just around the corner!
Hurricane Katrina impacted the lives of many FFA members. For some, it destroyed their home or school, in an instant taking everything from them. Others it forced to relocate to a new location, in hopes to create a home. There was no doubt that some of our fellow FFA members were in dire need, and it has been amazing to hear the stories of how other members from across the national have not only helped provide relief, but more importantly help rebuild in the aftermath of the hurricane. FFA members from across the nation helped to plant the seeds that will give hope to those that were affected.
August 29, 2005
Success depends on the support of other people. The only hurdle between you and what you want to be in is the support of other people.
David Joseph Schwartz
On Saturday, August 13, the team was ready to takeoff. Our destination this time was Orlando, Florida. When we arrived in Florida, we headed to the Florida FFA Camp and spent the rest of our evening with the Made For Excellence presenters. The next morning was our first big event of the retreat, an airboat ride with Captain Fred. As we searched for alligators (which we did not see!), he gave each of us an opportunity to drive the boat. It was a huge rush as we flew on top of the water, making spinning stops on a dime! That afternoon, the entire team headed to the lake for a fishing expedition. I was extremely excited about the trip, and tried my best to act like a Bass Pro. The fish
were not biting a whole lot that afternoon (probably because it was well over a hundred degrees), but I did manage to snag myself a nice largemouth bass. After we docked, we drove to dinner because there was no way we were going to able to all have enough to eat from the one and only fish we caught. The
establishment we traveled to that evening is called Cherry Pocket’s, and serves as a great definition of a “hole in the wall” place! Before crashing for the night, we watched a movie as a team.
Monday morning rolled around, and our first duty of the day was to plan our trips to Disney World. Emily, Rachael, and Justine were in charge of EPCOT and Magic Kingdom, while Brian, Jackie, and I tackled MGM Studios. After resting that afternoon, we enjoyed a dinner cruise, sand volleyball, and swimming. We returned back to the FFA Camp to play games, which the males were sadly beaten. It was off to bed with dreams of Disney the next day!
When Tuesday came, I was about as excited as I can get. My first true family vacation was to Disney World, and it has become one of my favorite places in the world. We spent the entire day at MGM Studios, riding my favorite rides including Star Tours, Muppets 3D, and the Rock N Rollercoaster. That night we checked into our hotel, the Gaylord Resort. The hotel itself was huge, and we took advantage of the two outdoor pools before preparing for the next day at Disney.
The next morning started bright and early at the Magic Kingdom. We hit Space
Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, and of course, It’s a Small World. That afternoon we rode the Monorail to EPCOT to spend time riding Mission: Space, Test Track, and Honey I Shrunk the Audience. The girls planned a special dinner for us at Morocco, which included belly dancers and some of the best kabobs I have ever ate! The final event of the night was Illuminations, the most impressive fireworks show I have seen.
We woke up on Thursday to head back home for a few days. I will never forget the memories we made on the team retreat, and it was awesome to see how much we had grown as a team since the beginning of the year. Once I arrived home, my focus for the weekend was my friend Danny’s wedding, which I was the best man. But just as quickly as I arrived, it was time again to head back out on the road; my stating destination was New York City. On Sunday night, I joined Emily at our hotel in Times Square for a week of Business and Industry visits. To kick the week of right, our first meal was at Hard Rock Café on Times Square! With this being my first trip to the Big Apple, I knew it was going to be a terrific trip.
Monday, August 22: the Golden Birthday! I never would have imagined I would spend my 22nd birthday in New York City. We began the day by visiting Ground Zero before our visits. It was a reflective feeling knowing that the World Trade Center stood tall in the area that is now a massive crater. Our first official visit of the day was with the Stock Market Game in lower Manhattan. We then traveled by subway to Midtown for a lunch visit with Pfizer Animal
Health. Our final visit was with Mitsui, the Japanese company that sponsors the national officer trip to Japan. For dinner than evening, we ate at Tavern on the Green, the only restaurant in Central Park. The food was excellent, but the park itself was even better.
We decided to do something special for my birthday that evening, and headed to Broadway to see Movin’ Out. This musical was written by Billy Joel, one of my favorite musicians. The musical was simply awesome, and afterward we sent the rest of the night walking around Times Square before going to bed. It was a birthday I will never forget!
The next morning began with a trip to the Girl Scouts headquarters. We then made our way back to the hotel and drove into New Jersey to visit Masterfoods USA, the
manufactures of all Mars brand candy. It was as if we had gone to heaven, as we sampled nearly every type of candy imaginable. Our final sponsor for the day was American Business Media. Because Emily and I decided that no trip to New York was complete without a stop to the Empire State Building, we rode the elevators to catch a quick glimpse of the island from the top. We were not able to stay long at the top
because we were heading back to Broadway to see the awardwinning show, Fiddler on the Roof. Although it was very different than Movin’ Out, Fiddler on the Roof is an impressive classic! That night we enjoyed dinner in Little Italy, the Italian sector of the island. For my first trip to New York, I do not know how it could have been much better!
Wednesday morning found us in a familiar place – an airport! We were off to Memphis to meet with Helena Chemical, a scholarship and proficiency sponsor. After the visit, we toured Memphis, visiting landmarks such as Graceland. I doubt if I will eve be able to say again that within twentyfour hours I stood on the top of the empire State Building and in front of Graceland. After the visit, we boarded another airplane, with the destination being Atlanta.
Thursday we were joined by Meredith Stovall, North Region Vice President from Georgia for our visits. We started the morning at Goldkist, a major player in the poultry industry.
Our next stop was Phibro Animal Health, a leader in animal nutrition and vaccinations.
We then visited NAPA, where we discussed their role in agricultural mechanics supply, as well as our experience the NASCAR race earlier in the month. Our final visit of the day was with the US Poultry and Egg Association. This group helps all companies involved in the poultry industry. After a fun and hectic day, we celebrated with a dinner at a Brazilian steakhouse
Friday was our final day in Georgia, and we had only one visit scheduled. This time we were headed to the offices of Merial, a leader in the animal health industry. After the visit, Emily and I said goodbye to Georgia and headed to Nashville, Tennessee, for the weekend. During the weekend, we toured the downtown area, ate at the Old Spaghetti Factory, and worked on National Convention tasks. The past two weeks were very busy, but I had a blast and realized that my time as an officer is drawing nearer to an end.
It is amazing to think of how far we have come in our lives because of the support around us. The past two weeks, I have experienced the support of teammates, FFA staff, and sponsors that believe in the organization. It may come form your friends, parents, or FFA advisor, but we often overlook what we have been given by others.
Where would we be without support? Take time to thank those that have supported you!
August 15, 2005
In the perspective of every person lies a lens through which we may better understand ourselves.
Ellen J. Langer
After resting for a day and a half, I drove to the National FFA Center on Tuesday, August 2, to start back on the road. On Wednesday morning, Justine, Brian and I traveled to Erlanger, Kentucky, the home of Toyota Motor Manufacturing, North America (TMMNA).
Toyota is a sponsor of FFA, and hosts a group of national officers each year. The first day of the visit was quite different than most business and industry tours we take part in.
Rather than go into the company and meet with employees, Toyota set up a day for us with girls from Holly Hill. Holly Hill is an alternative home for high school aged girls.
Following an icebreaker at their facilities, we all hoped on a bus en route to King’s Island, a Paramount amusement park. As soon as we got off the bus, we broke into our groups and headed towards the rollercoasters. Our group chose to start with a ride called Son of Beast, the longest, fastest and scariest coaster in the park. Even though I had a fear of rides that can be described like that, I had no choice whether I was going on it or not. After my group literally dragged me through the line, I was ready to tackle any ride in the park! Evening rolled around, and after a great day at King’s Island, we said goodbye to the girls. As we talked as a group that afternoon, I learned of the
challenges each of these girls face everyday and the goals they have set for themselves.
Often times throughout the year we are ones who are thought to make an impact on others, but I know I walked away from that day knowing those girls had a huge impact on me!
The next morning started bright and early at Northern Kentucky University. FFA
members and advisors from Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana joined us and representatives from Toyota for breakfast. Our next stop of the day was at the TMMNA headquarters for meetings with various team members of the company. It was a great opportunity to share the messages of FFA and learn more about the Toyota way. The final event of the visit was a luncheon with the vice presidents and president of TMMNA. While I was sharing my experience from the day before with the girls from Holly Hill, it really hit me lucky we are to have a company such as Toyota believe and support the ideals of FFA.
That afternoon we headed back to Indianapolis to meet up with the rest of the team.
Friday, August 5, was a day for us to run errands, catch up on work and plan for our next team activity: we were all going to our first NASCAR race. It was
Brickyard 500 weekend in Indianapolis, and there was no way we could stay away! Saturday morning, we started at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to watch the drivers run qualifying laps and take a tour of the pits. We walked by the drivers’ trailers, the car garages and even caught a glimpse of a few drivers coming off the track. The technology that goes into each car is unbelievable, as a millisecond can mean the difference between first and third place. When you see a race on television, it seems quite simple: stay on the same track, turn left and drive faster than everyone else.
All it takes is one look into a driver’s garage to realize there is a lot more to it! Later that evening, we travel across town to the Indianapolis Raceway Park for the NASCAR Busch Series race. Before the race, we walked on the track and checked out each of the cars in the race. Once the race began, we headed to pit row to watch. Unfortunately, it began to rain and the race was delayed. Before the rain hit, we had a blast watching each car make its move toward the front. You could feel the cars as they blazed around
each turn as if they were about to lose control. Just after one race, I can understand how the sport becomes addictive!
Once Sunday rolled around, it was time to get to business. Our focus for the next five days would be on the national FFA convention. It amazing to learn how much work from so many people goes into making convention successful. Our responsibilities for the week included music, pictures, session scripts, and retiring addresses. Those five days were busy, but we know it will pay off come October. On Saturday, August 13, we said goodbye once again to the FFA staff in Indianapolis, and headed to Orlando, Florida, for our surprise team retreat!
Following our visit to Holly Hill, I realized how much we can learn from another person’s perspective. It is easy to get caught in believing the world revolves around our life, but in reality it never does. We are quick to complain, probably wanting more than we deserve.
It isn’t until we can view life from another’s perspective that we realize we are extremely fortunate for what we have been given.
August 1, 2005
Cultivate the Experience
2005 State Presidents’ Conference Theme
After spending a couple days at home resting, doing laundry, and catching up with friends, it was off to Washington, D.C., to prepare for State Presidents’ Conference, also
known simply as SPC. Every year, the state president and one other fellow officers travel to the conference from all fifty states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
The objectives of the five day conference include beginning the National FFA Delegate Process,
exchanging views among state associations which leads to developing unity at the national level, meet with state and national public officials, and explore the heritage of our nation’s capital. Upon the return to their home states, the pair of officers is challenged to inform their
teammates of the events and information shared at the conference, as it is an opportunity to grow as a team. After four NLCSO presentations, it was a chance for me to see some familiar faces. As national officers, SPC is a special conference because our parents joined us for the event. My mother had seen
Washington from a bus while in college, and my father had not been to the capital since the year he attend SPC as a state officer. A tough part about being a national officer is the limited time you are able to spend with your parents while traveling. I knew that SPC would be a great experience for all of us!
We once again joined up as a team on Thursday, July 21, to prepare for the conference.
The next four days were filled with work, but as always, we managed to find time for fun!
To kick off the conference, we created a video highlighting the locations and events during the five days. Serving as the driver of a fifteen passenger van around Washington as we ran from sight to sight shooting video footage was a true educational experience for me! Who knew parking a van that large in a busy city during the day would be so fun? On Sunday, July 24, we celebrated Jackie Mundt’s birthday with a trip to the Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts. There we enjoyed a picnic dinner and the play Peter Pan. It seemed as though time flew, as Tuesday rolled around almost too quickly!
Once everyone had arrived and registered on Tuesday, July 26, the conference had begun. After an overview of the week, we jumped on our busses and traveled to the United States Marine Corp War Memorial to watch the Sunset Parade. The parade was made up of various Marine units that performed honorary ceremonies. It was an
unbelievable sight as we watched the soldiers in perfect sync and full military dress, even though it was well over ninety degrees! Following the parade, dinner was served at the Fort Myers Officer Club before we returned to the memorial for reflections. Our final stop was the Omni Shoreham Hotel, our home for the conference.
Wednesday morning came quite early, as our destination after breakfast was Arlington Cemetery. Brian, Emily, Rachael, and Emily laid a memorial wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as the entire conference watched. As the temperature rose to over one hundred degrees, the blue jackets quickly became warm. But throughout the ceremony, it was impressive to see everyone stand poised in official dress. Our next stop of the day
was the Native American Museum for lunch before returning to the hotel. The afternoon was filled with delegate work, congressional visit preparation, and messages from the sponsors of SPC, Chevrolet and GMAC. Following dinner, we jumped on the buses for a night tour of the city, which included stops at the White House, Lincoln Memorial, World War II Memorial, Washington Monument, Vietnam Memorial, and Korean Memorial before arriving at our reflections location, the Jefferson Memorial. Reflections served as a great closure to the day, and it was off to bed after a packed day.
Our first stop on Thursday was the United State Department of Agriculture, where we had the opportunity to meet and hear from Secretary of agriculture Mike Johanns. We also attend break our sessions that focused on a specific area within the department.
After saying goodbye at the USDA, we made our way back to the White House for a visit with President George W. Bush. The excitement was overwhelming as we walked into the White House and waited for the President in the State Dining Room. As the
President walked in, he shook hands with the officer team, and then addressed the entire group. “Have any of you asked the President of the United States a question before?,” he surveyed the group. After a unanimous answer of nay, the President
followed by saying, “well would anyone like to ask me a question?” For nearly the next twenty minutes, the President fielded questions form the group that ranged from a description of his ranch to the events that shaped his life. As I sat and listened in awe, it was nearly impossible for me to fathom that the President of the United States, the leader of our nation, was shooting from the hip, giving us an inside look at the true person he is. It was without a doubt an experience that’s impact is difficult to put into words! The rest of the day was filled with delegate work, and we once again ended the evening with reflections on the Capitol Lawn.
On Friday morning, we split into our states for congressional visits on the capital. This was an opportunity for state officers to share updates with legislators from their states on FFA and agricultural education. After lunch, it was another afternoon focused on
delegate work, which was wrapped up later that evening. Following the finale of delegate work, a banquet was held at the hotel in which former FFA members from the area gathered. After the banquet, we danced the night away until reflections wrapped up that day. At reflections we were joined by a special guest and former FFA member, Sergeant Ryan Ball. He shared with us his duties and requirements as a guard of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. He stated that FFA had a significant impact on his ability to be a guard. A great way to end the day!
The final day of the conference was upon us, but the fun was not over yet. After a few workshops in the morning, everyone had four free hours to spend seeing more of the capital. The surprise of the conference came that evening, as the entire group went to Six Flags for dinner and of course, rollercoaster. I put my fear of rollercoaster aside that night, and I am proud to say that I rode the second rollercoaster in my lifetime at SPC!
After a fun night at Six Flags, we traveled back to the city to the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial for the final reflections. At the end of reflections, we said our goodbyes, and the conference came to a close. A huge thank you goes out to Tiffany Sanderson, Phyllis McDonald, Stacia Berry, Seth Derner, the delegate coordinators, and the state officers for making SPC 2005 a great experience!
As always, I found myself Sunday morning on a plane back to Illinois, reflecting on the experiences of the past two weeks.
When spring arrives, the farmer gets ready for a new cycle of agriculture. The process is always the same, with the major steps of planting, growing and finally, harvesting. Each step has variables that can impact the outcome of the harvest. But before the harvest, growing, or even planting can occur, the farmer must cultivate the land. This prepares the field for the new season and sets the stage for plant growth. Cultivation is a critical step in the process of farming. Think of how you cultivate the experiences in your life. Do you prepare yourself and others for success? Do you take advantage of the opportunity to grow? Cultivate each experience in your life so that you may harvest your full
potential!
July 18, 2005
Who shall set a limit to the influence of a human being?
Ralph Waldo Emerson
July 3 was the kickoff for the Four Corners NLCSO, which included state officers from Utah, New Mexico, Nevada, Arizona and Colorado. The conference was held at Bryce Canyon Resort and Inn, located north of the Grand Canyon. Bryce Canyon serves as the uppermost canyon in the chain, which includes the Grand Canyon. Over the years, wind has blown through the canyon, creating spindles and archways in the red rock. As if a painter created the portrait, Bryce Canyon is an amazing sight to see!
The conference ran from the 3 through the 7, which was longer than any other NLCSO we attended. Our evenings were filled with activities that included fireworks on the 4, a walking tour of the canyon, and a conference banquet. We also attended a rodeo at which a few state officers from Utah and Arizona participated. With only one broken arm and a banged up shoulder, I would consider it a win for Team FFA! As with past
NLCSO’s, the focus was on team performance, workshop development, and relationship building. This was are largest NLCSO with forty state officers. After spending five days together, there is no doubt in my mind that each of these states will be served well by their state officers this year.
After packing up our supplies on the afternoon of Thursday, July 7, we made our way back towards civilization for an early morning flight on Friday. Our destination on Friday
was Myrtle Beach, S.C., home of our fourth and final NLCSO. But before we arrived at Myrtle Beach from Bryce Canyon, we made stops in Salt Lake City and Atlanta. The hotel where the conference was being held was on the beach, and the room I stayed in overlooked the ocean.
After a day of setup, the conference began on the July 10 and ran through July 13. With only twenty state officers from South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia, it was the smallest NLCSO we presented.
The four days we spent together were filled with learning, growth, and even a little fun. One evening the entire group went to Dixie Stampede, a dinner theater that pits the north versus the south in a horse arena. During parts of the show, they pull participants from the crowd to earn points for their side, mine of which happened to be the south the night! It must have been our lucky night, as both Justine and I were selected to barrel race horses against the opposing side. After some minor humiliation in front of the entire arena, Justine and I raced to victory to earn a point for the south. Although this sounds like quite a feat, especially for someone who has only rode one horse in my life, the racing occurred on stick horses, not the real thing!
July 13 rolled around too quickly, and we had to once again say goodbye (as well as tell everyone at the conference I was NOT a hand model after Justine convinced them I was) to the state officer teams and to NLCSO (and the tight flight suits that came with the conference). It was hard to believe that almost four weeks ago we started in
Nebraska at our first NLCSO. These conferences have been one of the most rewarding events of the year, as working with state officers is an opportunity that not everyone has. A thank you goes out to all the state officers, state staff, and National FFA Staff that made NLCSO a success and created memories that will last a lifetime! After working with state officers from sixteen states, I know the future of the FFA is in good hands.
On the morning on Thursday, July 14, we flew from Myrtle Beach to Atlanta before arriving in Indianapolis for the July National FFA Board of Directors Meeting. It had been nearly two months since we had been together as a team, so the stories were nearly endless! Saturday morning marked the beginning of the board meeting, and for the next three days we would discuss items of business that affect the future of the organization. During lunch on Monday, our team had the opportunity to talk with FFA members from Turner Ashby High School in Rockingham County, Virginia, on their thirty day expedition of the Chesapeake Bay. What an
awesome experience for those members as the traveled from the Potomac River basin to the Chesapeake Bay! After participating in two board meetings, I am still amazed by the commitment towards the betterment of agriculture education by the members of the board. The meeting concluded Monday afternoon, and Tuesday morning found me on familiar roads to home after thirtytwo days on the road.
Often times we do not realize the influence we have on others around us. Working with state officers the past few weeks reminded me of the potential to bring out the best in others. No matter what level chapter, state, or even national we are shaped by those around us. One would think that I influenced state officers, but it happens to be a two way street. Think about the influence you have on others, whether it be fellow FFA members, friends, or family. Does it match the influence they have on you? Be the influence that you wish to see in others!
July 4, 2005 Dare to Soar
2005 NLCSO Theme
After the Illinois State Convention, I spent a day at home
preparing for NLCSO (National Leadership Conference for State Officers). NLCSO is a conference for state officer teams that focuses on three primary development objectives: team
performance, workshop development, and relationship building. The format of the conference came in three types of sessions: team performance sessions, which focused on project development; team debrief sessions, which took an indepth look at the barriers to team development; and leadership summits, which provided officers knowledge on the agriculture industry, agriculture education, National FFA Delegate Process, and state issues. Eleven conferences are presented all across the nation, with Justine and I presenting four. Not only is it a chance to travel to some unique areas, it also is an awesome opportunity to work side by side with state officers.
Saturday, June 18, I flew into Lincoln, Nebraska, to meet Justine at our first conference.
We headed to Aurora on Sunday to setup the first conference we would present. Sunday was also a special day because it was Justine’s birthday. Monday was another day of setup, and the conference kicked off on Tuesday. For the next three days, we would work with thirty three state officers from Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota and South Dakota on implementing projects throughout the year and team development. We had a blast getting to know the officers and watching their teams grow. Some of the highlights included the dodgeball world championship, flag raising by state officers, and watching the impact the conference had on an officer for the first time.
The conference wrapped up on Friday, June 24, and we enjoyed the weekend in Lincoln, Neb. Sunday evening we were off again, this time to Paris, Tenn. We flew into Nashville, then had a road trip through what seemed like the middle of nowhere to Paris Landing and Resort on Kentucky Lake. The conference did not begin until Wednesday, so we enjoyed the sights and sounds of the area. Being from Illinois, I do not have sweet tea very often, so it becomes a highlight for me when I head south! I also enjoyed the catfish and barbeque during our daily trips to Murray, Ky. After setting up for two days, the conference began. Thirty four state officers from Tennessee, Kentucky, Michigan and Florida joined us in Paris for the three day conference. Although we were packed into a small room, we still managed to have fun and prepare for the year ahead. A highlight of the conference was the reflections given by the state officers. Two officers from each state provided a message on the value of time, especially during the year as an officer. At the end of the conference, we were very proud of each team!
On Friday, July 1, the conference wrapped up, and we made the trip back to Nashville.
The next day started early, as we flew from Nashville to Las Vegas all before noon.
Once arriving in Las Vegas, we took a drive down The Strip, grabbed burgers at In And Out, and then drove four hours to Bryce Canyon, Utah. As we drove up the mountains in our four cylinder car, I could not believe we had been to five states in less than twelve hours and would be gearing up for the Four Corners NLCSO in the morning!
The difference between soaring and simply flying is huge! Soaring is when you reach new heights and challenge your ability to go farther. Think of it in terms of an eagle.
Whereas other birds just fly from place to place, an eagle soars above the land with a obvious presence. When we choose to soar rather than just fly, we push ourselves and our potential. Have you made the commitment to soar in life, or are you just simply flying?
June 20, 2005
A moment lasts all of a second, but the memory lives on forever.
Anonymous
On Sunday, June 5 th , I left Connecticut and headed across the country to New Mexico. I landed in El Paso, TX, and rode up to New Mexico State University in Las Cruces. I spent the afternoon with the state officers, the state officer candidates, and the nominating committee. I received the grand tour of campus and saw other
highlights of Las Cruces including the Rio Grande. After that experience, I had no doubt there was a great convention on its way.
Monday rolled around, and members from all across the state began showing up. In the morning, the state officer candidates and I played games between interviews and shared our embarrassing FFA stories. The state officers wanted to make sure that I ate a true Mexican meal while I was in town, so we went to a local establishment for lunch.
Because I have a weak stomach, I was nervous as to what they may make me eat.
Much to my surprise, the food was great! Everyone had a few laughs while responding to my numerous questions about what they were eating as well. After the meal, we headed back to the Corbett Center for the evening activities. One of the highlights of the evening was the state talent preliminaries. Participants put on a concert for the audience as they vied for a spot on stage during the conventions sessions. They did a great job, and the audience went crazy! Later that evening, Jonathan Walsh, Kolbyn and Stuart Joy, and a few other past state officers drove me past White Sands National Park. The park is located near an Air Force missile range, but we did not see any explosions that night. I wanted to be able to say that I at least saw the park, which is acres upon acres of pure white sand in the middle of nowhere. No one knows exactly how it the sand
appeared, but the story I am sticking to is that the dinosaurs made it to use as a sandbox!
Tuesday morning kicked off the beginning of the convention. The students that attended my workshop that morning were awesome! We had a blast discussing how to become goal getters. A big thanks goes out to the members from Texico FFA, Silver City FFA, and all the other members in attendance. You guys rock! After the workshop, I joined Hannah and Sally from the Clayton FFA for lunch before the first general session. During the afternoon session, Ruben Trujillo and Jamie Gerard did an excellent job delivering their retiring address on dreams. That night, the officer team presented their vespers on what’s right with this world. The vespers were terrific, and I have no doubt the officers had an impact on quite a few members that evening. After vespers, it was off to El Paso to catch a flight in the morning. As we drove to El Paso, I reflected back on the great three days spent in New Mexico. Jamie, Jessica, Ginger, Christopher, Caleb, Clifton, and Ruben were simply outstanding at convention, but after meeting the candidates for
state office, I know that New Mexico FFA is in good hands for the next year. I had a blast in New Mexico, and the members I met from chapters such as Corona and Astoria made me wish could stay for the entire convention.
On Wednesday, June 8 th , I caught an early morning flight to Arkansas to attend the Arkansas FFA State Convention.
After arriving in Little Rock, I headed to Camp Couchdale, the Arkansas FFA campgrounds. I arrived just as the first session was about to begin, and was blown away by the excitement in MDF Leadership Center. During the first session, Monica Coker presented her retiring address entitled Let’s Get Fired Up! At the end of the session, the state officer candidates answered questions on stage for
the delegate body. Even under pressure, each of them stepped up to the challenge and nailed the questions. After dinner, the second session began, and Dru Glaze gave her retiring address. As she talked about the ride of our life, it brought back some great FFA memories for me. The final event of the evening was the Parliamentary Procedure CDE.
At the event, I sat with members from the Springdale FFA Chapter that I met earlier in the year. We had a blast telling stories and watching the teams compete.
Thursday morning began bright and early with my workshop. I was extremely impressed with the members that attended, because even though it was early in the day, the enthusiasm was still very high! As we took a look at goals, it was satisfying to see members setting high level goals. After the workshop, we all made our way over to the MDF Leadership Center for the sessions. During the first session, John Crangle’s retiring address entitled Somewhere I Belong reminded students of the camaraderie we share though FFA. A highlight of the afternoon session was the retiring address of Amber Usdrowski, which was titled Traveling Down the Yellow Brick Road. All day the excitement was building for a certain event: state and district officer elections. As the delegates voted on the leaders of the state for the upcoming year, there was little doubt that all of the candidates were highly qualified and prepared for a year of service. After the elections, I joined past Arkansas FFA state officers and heard some great stories of the days past. During the evening session, Jason Davis delivered his retiring address entitled Live Like You Were Dying. After the session, the chairs were moved to the side and the convention hall became a dance hall. As we danced and sang into the night, it was evident that everyone was having a great time! My time in Arkansas was awesome, and I was impressed by the enthusiasm the members from Ashdown, Camden Fairview, and many others had during convention. All of the hard work and dedication Casey, Monica, Jason, Dru, John, and Amber poured into convention made the event so great.
Thanks for the memories!
After breakfast on Friday morning, it was time once again to take off to a different
destination. I was familiar with my destination this time, as I was heading home to attend the Illinois FFA State Convention. After spending a little time at home, I drove down to
Springfield on Monday morning to help the state officers prepare for the event. Driving down to Springfield and walking into the convention hall bought back some great
memories of my days with the Princeville FFA. I spent the afternoon hanging out with the section presidents and helping the state officers.
Tuesday, June 14, was the first day of the convention. As members arrived, I saw many old faces! During the first session, I presented my keynote address. Before I walked on stage, I thought back to my retiring address as a state officer, and all I could do was smile. At the end of the session, the state officers presented reflections based upon the theme, The Magic Formula. After the session, I joined the state officers for the Foundation Awards Banquet. At the banquet, American degree recipients, proficiency award winners, and sponsors were recognized for the hard work.
During the evening session, Rich Chapple presented his retiring address entitled Learn To Fly. After the session, I caught up with a few of my state officer teammates as well as other past officers as we reminisced about our experiences as officers.
On Wednesday morning, while I was presenting my workshop, Shana Stine gave her retiring address, Sign Here. Even though the room my workshop was in was a bit
crammed, we still had a blast together! During the Leadership Luncheon, I had a chance to catch up with Mr. Doug Loudenslager, the COO of the National FFA Organization. Mr.
Loudenslager has served as my mentor for the year, and due to our busy schedules, finding time to talk is not always easy. With him graduating from Ohio State University, we made sure and welcomed him to Illini Country appropriately! After the luncheon, it was back to the Prairie Capital Convention Center for the fourth general session. During the session, Becky Littlefield presented her retiring address, Hoop Dreams. In the following delegate session, the state officer candidates responded to their impromptu question on stage. After the impromptu question, I headed over to the past officer reception. While I was there, I met up with my teammates and saw many good friends.
That evening, the stage was set for the election for the new state officers. As I watched the election with my advisor and a few other close friends, it brought back memories of the day I was on that stage awaiting the results. Even though not every one of the candidates was elected at the end of the night, there is no doubt in my mind that they all won. Congratulations to all of the candidates for their dedication to the members of the Illinois FFA!
Similar to Wednesday, I presented my workshop again on Thursday morning while Cliff Dolbeare presented his retiring address titled Don’t Go Too Big. Once again, a great audience was in attendance for my workshop! After the session, I joined the current and new state officers for a meal with a special guest, Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns.
Secretary Johanns spoke during the final session of the convention, in which he provided his thoughts on the new farm bill. It was an honor to have him at convention,
and the members in attendance appreciated his remarks. After Kacy Bagher gave her retiring address, Accidentally on Purpose, the new officers were installed and the
convention came to a close. As the retiring team walked offstage, I was so proud of their commitment and hard work throughout the year. I have little doubt that they will be remembered for a long time in Illinois because of the influence they had. The new officers have some big shoes to fill, but I have complete confidence in their ability to set the bar even higher.
As I drove home on Thursday evening, I thought about all the members and advisors I saw during convention. It would be too long for me to list all of them that had an impact on me during my time in FFA, but I am proud to say I am from Illinois because of them.
Being at my home convention was a terrific capstone to my state convention tour!
During my travels to state conventions, I have made some great memories. As I think back on my FFA career, the memories come flooding back to me. It is hard to believe how those memories have shaped us, because the experiences we have while wearing the blue jacket change us. Going to my home convention for the last time as a member reminded me of some of the lessons I learned during my time in FFA. What are the memories that have shaped you?
June 6, 2005
Every living faith must have within itself the power of rejuvenation if it is to live
Mahatma Gandhi
After attending the Nebraska COLT conference, I headed home for a short break from my crazy summer schedule. I arrived home on Sunday, May 22, and enjoyed eleven days of fishing, golfing and farming. As you can tell, I left all the big fish in the lake! I
appreciated the opportunity to refuel the tanks while I was home, but I was ready to get back on the road. On Friday, June 3, I left Illinois for Hartford Connecticut.
When I arrived in Hartford, I joined the state officers as they set up for their 75 th convention. After setting up all afternoon, the officers took me to my first Friendly’s experience. For those of you who don’t know, Friendly’s is a restaurant chain popular in the New England states. That night, we stayed in a bed and breakfast called The Tolland Inn. It reminded me of an old colonial home that I would have seen in history textbooks in school!
On Saturday morning, convention rolled into E.O. Smith High School in Storrs, Connecticut. The school is located next to the University of
Connecticut campus. The day was kicked off by the first session, in which I provided remarks. After the session, students participated in CDE’s, committee meetings and my workshop. I had a blast at my workshops hanging out with students from the Southington FFA Chapter. The afternoon was filled with the second session, which included state CDE and proficiency winners, retiring officer addresses and state degree recognition. A congratulation goes to Mindy, Missy, Michelle, Nick, Gina, Kellie and Amy on an
awesome convention! It was awesome to see members from Killingly, Woodbury, Storrs Regional and other chapters across the state be rewarded for their hard work and dedication this past year. That evening, I rode with the Suffield Regional FFA chapter on the way to the airport. As I sat next to Sean and Erika, I learned about their school and the opportunities they had in FFA. A few of the members gave me a tour of their brand new school, which included some of the nicest greenhouses I have seen all year. Later that evening, the advisor from the chapter took me to dinner and gave me a quick tour of tobacco production. Even though the convention was only a day, I had a great time and appreciated the knowledge I picked up.
On Sunday morning, I left Hartford, Connecticut, en route for Las Cruces, New Mexico, for the New Mexico FFA State Convention. Same airports, different day!
Every once in a while, we need to do those things in our life that refuel our tanks. It can be as simple as hanging out with friends, playing basketball or farming, but it is those things that can keep us going. When we forget to rejuvenate our bodies and souls, we often find ourselves going through the motions rather than playing at a higher level.
What are the activities that refuel your tanks?
May 23, 2005
You can't hit a home run unless you step up to the plate. You can't catch fish unless you put your line in the water. You can't reach your goals if you don't try.
Anonymous
After a few days at home, it was off to College Station, Texas, home of the Texas A&M Aggies. The entire team was meeting in Texas to rehearse the National Leadership Conference for State Officers (NLCSO). I knew that A&M was a huge football school, so I could not wait to learn more about the heritage of the program. This was also my first trip to Texas, which was much warmer than my home state of Illinois. We met up on Sunday, May 8th, and prepared for the ten days ahead.
During our stay in Texas, Justine and I will be partnering up to teach a class for college students. As partners, Justine and I will tackle four NLCSO’s this summer as we bounce around the country. We spent the first few days of our time in College Station setting up our room and working with Mark Reardon, a facilitator coach. On Wednesday, I left the rest of the team and headed to Pullman, Washington.
I spent Thursday in Pullman at the Washington FFA State Convention. My day started with two workshops on teamwork. The members that were in the workshops were awesome! I was impressed by their enthusiasm, and after attending a convention session, I was not surprised at all. The first session was held in the evening, and the entire arena went crazy! During the session, Carey Smithingell and Greg Reilly presented their retiring addresses, sharing excellent messages of living now and stepping up to the plate. Before the session ended, I provided remarks and saw the excitement of the Washington FFA from the stage. After the session ended, I joined the Washington state officers and the visiting state officers for an ice cream party before retiring for the evening. Even though my stay in Washington was short, I had a blast in Pullman! Thanks for the great experience!
On Friday I flew back to College Station to prepare for the week ahead. Justine and I would be presenting NLCSO to the class starting Saturday and ending Sunday. We were blessed to have a great class that learned with us as we would be presenting the
conference for the first time. In the evenings, we hung out as a team and enjoyed the minimal time we had together until we would see each other again in July. On Tuesday, the last day of the conference, we joined the entire class at The Chicken Oil for lunch to celebrate the end of the conference. The time spent at Texas A&M was a growing experience, and I truly appreciate the participation of the college students. Thank you for helping Justine and I make NLCSO better!
Wednesday rolled around, and it was again time to head our separate ways. I was off to Aurora, Nebraska, for the first session of Nebraska COLT Conference where Chapter officers from all over the state join together to learn effective strategies for serving as an officer. The theme for the conference was Mission: Serve, which the state officers brought to life through skits, sessions and reflections. During my stay, I met some amazing chapter officers that will have a huge impact on members this year. Kyle, Laura, Tony, Dillon, Ryan, Rob and Jaci did a terrific job presenting the conference and influencing the members they met. Whether it was reflections, trenchball (which was quite painful!), or the “moonlight voyage,” I had a blast at COLT Conference and appreciate the opportunity to be part of the event. After the final session ended, I flew home to Illinois to enjoy a few days of rest.
In Washington, Greg Reilly, the state reporter, challenged members to step up to the plate and play the game. At COLT Conference, the state officers challenged members to step up to the plate by serving others. Justine and I had to step up when it came to presenting NLCSO in Texas. If we do not step up, then we will never have the chance to find success. Stepping up to the plate may mean risking boldly, but the risk is worth the opportunity. When the chance comes to face a challenge, remember the first step is to try!
May 9, 2005
